Weaver, Salt's Mills, Saltaire

Gelatine silver print entitled 'Weaver, Salt's Mills, Saltaire' by Ian Beesley. Produced for the commission `Through the Mill:, The Story of Yorkshire Wool in Photographs'.1985-1987'.

Those of you who bother to darn your socks will be familiar with the process of interlacing one thread (weft) under and over alternate threads (warp). This weaving process is conducted on a piece of machinery, universally known as a loom. During the 19th century, complex power looms replaced the domestic hand loom but functioned on the same basic principles of weaving. Modern Sulzer looms employ a small metal projectile much faster and quieter then the traditional shuttle. Here the weaver is repairing a broken 'end' in the warp.